Carrie Ruth Heflin

Durham, NC 

Carrie Ruth Heflin, 94, of Durham, NC, passed away peacefully at home after a long and full life on Friday August 2, 2019.

Carrie was born into a family of farmers in Tennessee. They moved from place to place to find work. She worked in the fields as a child. She vowed to educate herself and have a better life.   She did well in high school and with the help of an uncle was able to go to business school. She eventually worked for the Department of Defense in Washington, DC. Later she worked in various businesses, and then ran the family business.

Always known for her radiant smile, Carrie brought kindness to all she met. Carrie was devoted to her Christian faith and participation in church activities. Her Bibles had numerous passages underlined and annotations hand written in the margins from her study.

Carrie had 3 children and was extremely devoted to them. She went to every baseball game, every basketball game, every concert, and every graduation. During this time, she also took care of her elderly mother in her home.  Once her mother became bedridden and too much for her to lift, she sadly had to agree for her to go to a skilled nursing facility.  Carrie went to see her mother every day while she was in skilled nursing, making sure she was as comfortable as possible.  In a similar way, Carrie's daughters cared for her as she aged, allowing her to have one-on-one attention until her last breath.

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who worked harder than Carrie. After the death of her husband, Carrie moved to Croasdaile Village Retirement Community in Durham, NC in 2001. Well known for her volunteer work at the front desk, Carrie greeted most residents by name. She gave many hours of service to the Library and her name is engraved on the plaque outside the current facility.

Her many interests and activities included Bible studies, attending Chapel services and vespers, bird watching, learning bridge, playing cards, reading, attending Duke Women’s Basketball games, excursions to see nature, straightening up Few Chapel before services, a Sunday night movie and her daily serving of ice cream.

Surviving are her children, Denise Heflin of Durham, NC, Lonnie Heflin of Annapolis, MD and Joyce Heflin of Durham, NC. Grandchildren Darcey Gottschalk of Spotsylvania, VA and Emily Heflin of Atlanta, GA.

Memorial gifts in honor of Carrie may be directed to the Kramden Institute. Your donation will help students and others in the community receive technology training and a refurbished personal home computer of their own. 4915 Prospectus Drive, Suite J, Durham, NC 27713 or via kramden.org.

There will be no funeral or memorial service in accordance with Carrie’s wishes.

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